Physical Education

The physical education program at Dutchess Day School provides a fun and stimulating way for students to be physically active, while learning lifetime fitness habits. In lower school, physical education is activity centered, utilizing a problem-solving approach to skill development. The program is designed to teach basic motor skills, game strategies, teamwork, cooperation, problem-solving, and leadership. Physical education classes also incorporate themes from classroom topics, and students learn associated games, such as colonial games in second grade when they study colonial America and Olympic games in fourth grade when the class studies ancient Greece.

“Emphasis is on respect, integrity, and fair play, as students develop coordination, agility and game sense.””

In upper school, we offer a comprehensive program which includes team sports, lifetime activities, international games, physical conditioning, and team-building. Students are encouraged to refine individual skills, to work as a team, and to win or lose with grace. We provide a variety of sports experiences and help each student to appreciate the value of physical activity and fitness. Emphasis is on respect, integrity, and fair play, as students develop coordination, agility and game sense.

In the spring, the entire school is involved in Field Day, which is a combination of track and field events, skill stations, and team-building activities. It is a fun and active morning for everyone involved, including the teachers.

In addition to physical education classes, Dutchess Day offers competitive, interscholastic sports for the upper school. Students may choose to participate in soccer, field hockey or cross-country (includes fourth grade) in the fall, basketball, volleyball, and squash in the winter, and tennis and lacrosse in the spring. Teams practice after school and compete against a number of local schools.